Hollyoaks legend returning permanently following Hollywood success

Hollyoaks fans have plenty of reasons to get excited, as a huge star is set to return.

Emma Rigby bowed out of the soap in 2010 after playing the role of Hannah Ashworth for five years.

Now aged 34, the star has added plenty of impressive acting roles to her CV since then after bagging a string of jobs in Hollywood.

However, she’s going back to where it all began and permanently, having initially only returned for a guest stint.

It comes after three producers, including the show’s top chief Lucy Allan, were dropped from the show.

Metro.co.uk can confirm that Emma has signed a long-term contract, with a Hollyoaks source adding to The Sun: ‘Emma agreed to return for a little guest stint but after a few weeks of filming she felt like she was back home.

‘She had a number of conversations with bosses and has since signed a year-long contract.

‘Everyone is over the moon to have her back permanently.

‘Bosses were so happy when she agreed to return for a few weeks so to have her back as a regular cast member again is very exciting.’

‘She’s got some big things coming up,’ they teased.

The insider added that ‘there’s a real buzz around set’ for what is ‘a really exciting time for the soap’.

Hollyoaks viewers can catch Emma’s return as Hannah later this month.

Her character will be joined by her mum Suzanne and the twins she had with Darren Osborne, who is played by Ashley Taylor Dawson, 42.

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Following her exit from Hollyoaks, Emma has made a name for herself across the pond.

She’s starred in films including The Counsellor alongside Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz.

As for her TV resumé, she’s starred in Prisoners Wives, Fresh Meat, and Ripper Street.

Meanwhile, her Hollyoaks guest stint was filmed late last year.

Her character first burst onto the scene in 2005 and, soon after her arrival, she was traumatised by the death of Tony (Nick Pickard) and Mandy’s (Sarah Jane Dunn) baby daughter Grace, who died from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) while she and her friend Nancy were babysitting.

Hannah went on to become the love interest of John Paul McQueen (James Sutton), who was struggling with his sexuality at the time.

One of her most talked-about moments, however, came when Hannah developed anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

The storyline attracted much attention from the press and achieved critical acclaim, with Hannah earning herself a best actress gong at the 2008 British Soap Awards.

Also in the storyline, Hannah’s best friend, Melissa Hurst, died as a result of an eating disorder, which was a first for British soaps.

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